Bearded dragons are omnivorous animals, which means that they can eat both plants and meat. While there are many different types of food that bearded dragons can eat, cockroaches are common prey for them.
Cockroaches are often associated with filth and infestation, but they provide health benefits for bearded dragons that can’t be found in other prey. Because of this, many owners recommend adding cockroaches to the diet of pet bearded dragons.
This guide will help you better understand the nutritional value of cockroaches as well as how to feed them to your bearded dragon.
Are Cockroaches Good For Bearded Dragons?
Yes, cockroaches are an excellent food source for bearded dragons. They are high in protein and other nutrients, and bearded dragons love to eat them.
Cockroaches in the wild also help keep bearded dragons’ environment clean, so pet bearded dragons who eat them benefit from this as well.
Types Of Cockroaches
There are many different types of cockroaches in America. The two most common are the American cockroach and the German cockroach. There is also a species called the brown-banded cockroach, but this one is less harmful to bearded dragons than the other two types.
American Cockroaches
Scientifically known as Periplaneta americana, these roaches are especially abundant in the southern parts of America. They are also very large, averaging at around two inches.
They have a tan body and a light-brown head with antennae. They have wings but they do not fly, though they can run very fast.
German Cockroaches
Scientifically called Blattella germanica, German cockroaches are smaller than the American variety. They only grow to be about a quarter of an inch long, and they have a yellow-brown body with hints of red.
They do not fly but they can crawl very fast over short distances.
Brown-banded Cockroaches
Scientifically called Supella supellectilium, this is a small cockroach that grows to be about half an inch long. It has a brown body with lighter-colored bands along the outside of its wings and abdomen.
Although it can run quickly, it cannot fly or climb smooth surfaces.
The Health Benefits Of Cockroaches For Bearded Dragons
Bearded dragons can eat cockroaches because they are a good source of protein. Cockroaches also have high levels of antioxidants, which can help keep your bearded dragon healthy.
Protein is a nutrient bearded dragons need in their diet to grow strong and healthy. In addition, protein helps them build and maintain lean muscle tissue. When your bearded dragon eats enough protein from the right sources, he will have a shiny coat of smooth skin, be full of energy, and have an overall healthy appearance.
Bearded dragons can eat cockroaches because they are low in fat, which is important since bearded dragons can quickly become obese if they consume too many calories from fat.
In addition to being a good source of protein and healthy fats, cockroaches have chitin in their exoskeleton. Chitin is a type of fiber that enhances an insect’s immune system by strengthening its body, particularly its digestive tract. A strong digestive system means that an insect’s body can better absorb the nutrients it needs to survive and stay healthy.
Cockroaches also have high levels of beta-carotene and B vitamins. Beta-carotene is a naturally occurring antioxidant that gives cockroaches their reddish color. It is also a precursor to vitamin A, which is essential for good health in bearded dragons.
B vitamins are another group of antioxidants that help fight off illness and disease. They can be found in a cockroach’s exoskeleton, especially during molting, when they lay down a new one. B vitamins are very important because they form the basis of a bearded dragon’s nervous and digestive systems.
Bearded dragons can eat cockroaches because they contain high levels of calcium, which is essential for their bodies to function properly and grow strong bones and muscles.
During molting, cockroaches rebuild their exoskeleton with a higher concentration of nutrients such as calcium. When molting, cockroaches’ bodies are capable of absorbing calcium from their environment.
This is an important fact when you feed your bearded dragon insects that have recently molted because this means there will be more calcium in the insect for him to eat. It also means giving your bearded dragon crickets, mealworms, or cockroaches that may have just molted is not the best idea.
Bearded dragons can eat cockroaches because they contain chitin and vitamins, which we already know are important for a bearded dragon’s health. Chitin and beta-carotene help keep molting cycles regular and strong, while B vitamins give your dragon energy to hunt and regulate his digestive system.
Bearded dragons can eat cockroaches because they are a good source of healthy fats and protein, which bearded dragons need to have a strong immune system and stay healthy overall. While there is no research that proves cockroaches will improve the health of your dragon, their high levels of antioxidants make them a nutritious addition to his diet.
Bearded dragons can eat cockroaches if they are gut-loaded with nutritious food and dusted with a calcium supplement, such as Repashy Calcium Plus. You should dust the insects with a vitamin supplement that contains D3, which will help your bearded dragon absorb calcium from his environment more efficiently.
Many owners also choose to feed their bearded dragons cockroaches that have recently molted to ensure they are receiving the proper nutrients.
The Risks Of Feeding Cockroaches To Bearded Dragons
Bearded dragons can eat cockroaches, but there are risks associated with doing so. Cockroaches can carry bacteria and parasites that can be harmful to bearded dragons. They can also spread disease.
Bearded dragons are naturally insectivores, which means that they feed on insects in the wild. In the wild, they would eat grasshoppers, crickets, bugs, and other small insects.
Because of this natural diet, most pet bearded dragons will happily devour a live cockroach or two if given the chance. However, there are risks associated with feeding live cockroaches, as well as the bearded dragon’s health and safety.
Cockroach-related Problems For Bearded Dragons
One of the biggest risks is that the cockroach might bite or injure your pet. This could happen if it feels threatened or startled. A cockroach can also carry bacteria that can be harmful to bearded dragons. These bacteria can lead to infections or even death in some cases.
Some species of cockroaches are also known carriers of parasites that could potentially cause illness in your pet. One example is the parasite giardia, which causes diarrhea and weight loss. This parasite is very common among cockroaches, so if you feed your bearded dragon cockroaches, it likely has this parasite.
Another problem is that pet foods are made for specific types of pets. Feeding your bearded dragon the wrong food can lead to illness or death, or at the very least discomfort in your lizard.
How Do I Keep My Bearded Dragon Safe From Cockroaches?
The best way to prevent your bearded dragon from being exposed to cockroaches is by using an insecticide. You should spray all cracks and crevices around your home, as well as the frames of doors and windows. This will kill any roaches that might have gotten inside.
You should also be careful when you clean out your pet’s habitat. Before you do, make sure that all of the roaches have been removed from the area.
This especially applies when you clean out its water dish. If there are any cockroaches in it, they can crawl into your bearded dragon’s mouth and nose while they drink. In some cases, this can even lead to death for the lizard.
You might also consider hiring an exterminator to get rid of any roaches in your home before bringing a bearded dragon inside.
How To Safely Feed Your Bearded Dragon Cockroaches
For young bearded dragons, start by feeding them small roaches no bigger than the size of their head. As they get older, you can gradually feed them larger roaches.
Roaches make a good protein-rich diet for bearded dragons and are generally easy to find. When feeding your bearded dragon cockroaches, always make sure that they are healthy and free from pesticides. Otherwise, they may make your bearded dragon sick.
Bearded dragons are omnivores living in arid deserts, so their diet consists of plants and small animals like crickets or cockroaches. Bearded dragons can eat up to 60% protein in their diets each day. It is best to feed them gut-loaded insects that have been fed a nutritious diet of leafy greens and grains.
It’s best if you chop them up into smaller pieces before feeding them to your bearded dragon. Otherwise, the roach could choke him/her.
How Many Cockroaches Can A Bearded Dragon Have?
Bearded dragons can have a lot of cockroaches. They can eat up to 30 cockroaches in a day. This is why it’s important to keep a supply of live cockroaches on hand so that your bearded dragon always has something to eat.
To feed your bearded dragon live cockroaches, simply catch a bunch of them in an old jar with some holes poked in the top. They will smell the food and crawl inside. Then you can put the lid on the jar and drop it into their cage for later feeding.
If you want to be sure that your bearded dragon is getting plenty of live cockroaches, then the easiest way to do it is by using an automatic cockroach feeder. This device will release one cockroach every day at the same time no matter whether you are there to feed your bearded dragon or not.
There is one thing that you should never feed your bearded dragon: a cockroach that has been dead for over 48 hours. It could make them very sick and possibly even kill them if they eat it. If a cockroach dies within a couple of days after you catch it, then you should release it from the jar and let it dry out. When a cockroach dies, its meat becomes overly ripe and poisonous to eat.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons can eat cockroaches, but it’s important to keep in mind that there are risks. Cockroaches carry a parasite called the “Cryptosporidium.” This parasite is especially dangerous for young bearded dragons and could lead to illness or death if they consume enough of them.
Furthermore, roach feces contain bacteria which also poses health hazards when eaten by your pet lizard. If you’re considering feeding your beardie some bugs, be sure to inspect their bodies for any signs of disease before giving them food so as not to put additional stress on their immune system.
There are many ways that cockroach infestations affect both pets and humans alike – from allergies and asthma attacks due to allergen exposure (particularly among those with compromised immune systems) to direct contact with roaches and their droppings.
Cockroaches can live for a couple of weeks without their heads, so decapitating them is not an effective way to kill them before feeding them to your bearded dragon.
If you do choose to feed cockroaches to your lizard, be sure that they are small enough to swallow whole. You can use a jar with small holes on the top to catch them rather than trying to catch and hold them in your hands.
You should also only give them as many cockroaches as they can eat within five minutes or so, and no more than 30 per day. This way, you limit their exposure to any harmful parasites or bacteria that can be found in roach droppings.
Learn More: What Can Bearded Dragons Eat? Bearded Dragon Diet Guide
